Homemade Elderberry Syrup
A simple, traditional homemade elderberry syrup with warming ginger and vitamin C. A lovely addition to your family's autumn and winter wellness routine.
Ingredients
100g dried, food-grade black elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
750ml water
20–30g fresh ginger, sliced
150–200g honey, according to taste
Vitamin C — form and quantity to be added according to your chosen preparation
Method
Place the dried elderberries, ginger and water in a saucepan.
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 40–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat and strain through a fine sieve, discarding the berry solids.
Allow the liquid to cool until just warm, then stir in the honey.
Once cool, add your chosen vitamin C preparation and stir thoroughly.
Transfer into clean, sterilised bottles, label with the date and refrigerate.
Herbal Notes
One of my favourite things to make ahead of winter is elderberry syrup. It's a traditional herbal preparation that I've used in my own household, and it's surprisingly straightforward to make.
Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) have a long history of use during the colder months. Traditionally, elderberry has been valued as a seasonal herb, particularly during the winter months. As a medical herbalist, I love keeping these simple preparations alive and making them accessible for families to enjoy at home.
I like combining them with warming ginger and adding vitamin C once the mixture has cooled.
And there's something very satisfying about making your own, especially when you see how much some commercial elderberry syrups cost!
Safety & Storage
Always cook elderberries thoroughly. Raw or undercooked elderberries can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Remove all leaves, stems and unripe berries before preparing your syrup.
Use correctly identified elderberries (Sambucus nigra) from a reliable source. Never use unidentified wild berries.
Storage: Pour into clean, sterilised glass bottles, allow to cool and refrigerate promptly. Homemade elderberry syrup is not shelf-stable. For a cautious approach, use within a month, or freeze in small portions for longer storage. Discard if you notice mould, fermentation, unusual smells or other signs of spoilage.
Honey: Never give honey-containing preparations to children under 12 months.
Individual considerations: If pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or preparing this for a child, seek individual advice before using it regularly. Elderberry preparations are not suitable for everyone.
A little reminder: Herbal remedies can be a lovely part of seasonal self-care, but they aren’t a substitute for appropriate medical advice or treatment when you’re unwell.